A Good News Message
The Gospel is the good news that the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ, has come in human form, lived a sinless life, and offered Himself to God on a cross as an acceptable sacrifice for sin. He died on that cross under the weight of God’s eternal punishment for sin, but three days later, God raised Him from the dead!
He did this because all mankind is guilty of sinning against God (Genesis 3), and is under the curse of sin and death. Because of our sin we are all destined for eternity in hell.
But now, because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, for all who repent (to turn away from) of their sin and trust in Jesus Christ with their heart, mind, and life, there is salvation from the death of sin, new life in Christ now—individually and in the Church—, and eternal life in heaven with Him forever!
The Bible also says a few more things about this good news message…
The Gospel is Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:10 - “...a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in [Jesus Christ], things in heaven and things on earth.”
The Gospel is Good News.
John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
The Gospels is Freedom from Sin.
Galatians 5:1 - “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
The Gospel is Power.
Romans 1:16 - “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”
The Gospel is Protective.
Hebrews 3:12 - “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.”
The Gospel is Reality.
John 14:6 - Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
The Gospel is Hope.
Philippians 3:20-21 - “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
The Gospel is Joy.
Psalm 4:7 - “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.”
The Gospel is True Pleasure.
Psalm 16:11 - “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
The Gospel is Emotional Stability.
Philippians 4:11-13 - “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
The Gospel is New Priorities.
Philippians 3:7-11 - “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
The Gospel is a New Perspective.
2 Corinthians 4:7 - “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
The Gospel is a Life of Peace.
Hebrews 12:11 - “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
The Gospel is Steadiness.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
The Gospel brings Calm.
James 5:7-8 - “Be patient, therefore, brothers,] until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
The Gospel is Maturity.
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 - “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
The Gospel brings a New Family.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
The Gospel is Unifying.
Ephesians 2:14 - “For He [Jesus] Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…”
The Gospel is Courage.
Revelation 2:10 - “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
The Apostle Paul says it this way in Romans 10:9-13, "...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”